31 August 2026
Social Care PVG Scheme Applications: Temporary Fee Waiver
Disclosure Scotland have provided information regarding the social care workforce eligibility and how to have the fee for your Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme application waived.
The Scottish Government will pay the cost of Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme applications for eligible social care workers. Applications normally cost £18 for existing members and £59 for individuals joining the PVG scheme.
This waiver applies to PVG scheme applications received to Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services (VSDS) and submitted to Disclosure Scotland between 1 August 2026 and 31 July 2027.
Who can get a fee waiver
The waiver applies to workers in social care commissioned services in the private, voluntary and independent sectors.
To qualify, you must:
- be taking up a new job, or taking up a new position with your existing employer, in an eligible role (listed below), and
- have made a PVG scheme application between 1 August 2026 and 31 July 2027
Eligible roles
You must be working in a new role as a manager, supervisor, practitioner or support worker, in one of the following service areas.
Adult services:
- care homes
- care at home services
- day care services
- housing support
- adult placement services
- respite services
Children’s services:
- care homes for children and young people
- residential school care accommodation
- secure accommodation services
- care at home and housing support for under 18s
Personal assistants
The waiver also applies to personal assistants who are directly paid by an employer funded through Self-Directed Support Option 1 and/or Independent Living Fund Scotland. This includes children’s personal assistants.
Please Note: Early learning and childcare (ELC) roles are not covered by this fee waiver.
How to apply
If your role requires membership of the PVG scheme, is a paid post and you’re applying through VSDS, apply as normal . You must tick yes for a paid post and enter “FSC” in the ‘Position Applied For’ field, alongside the job title. VSDS will then process your application to Disclosure Scotland, and no payment will be required by the applicant or organisation.
If you’re a personal assistant, submit an offline application directly to Disclosure Scotland by email instead. Include the prefix “FSC” in both the Position Applied For field and the Personal Employer section of the form, and in the email subject line. Leave the payment section blank.
Contact
If you have any questions about the fee waiver, email socialcarefairwork@gov.scot
The Scottish Government recognises the exceptional contribution of the social care workforce, and thanks them for the vital role they play in our communities.
Read more information on Disclosure Scotland’s services and the PVG scheme. See the latest news from Disclosure Scotland.